Philippines

Exploring the Philippines' 7,000 tropical islands is a lifetime's work. But travelers who find their time limited to weeks rather than years will not be disappointed. A cultural mash-up of Spanish colonialism and Southeast Asian tradition make this archipelago unique. Explore the ornate San Agustin church in Manila, get lost in Vigan's pretty and iconic Mestizo District and marvel at the tumbling rice terraces of Banaue. If all that seems too much, the beaches here are among the world's best. Bacuit Bay in particular is a mecca for sun worshippers and outdoor types, with first-class diving and hidden sandy coves for lounging.

It’s the most happening of cities, a place where over 200 languages are spoken and millions flock each year to see its world-famous sights. New York draws visitors in like nowhere else. The crowded streets of Manhattan are the stuff of legend. First timers will want to head to the top of the Empire State Building and stand beneath the glare of the lights of Times Square. But there’s so much more to see and do, whether it’s catching an Off-Broadway play, checking out world class art at MoMA or shopping the streets of SoHo. Brooklyn’s hip neighborhoods of Greenpoint and Fort Greene offer a more relaxed vibe, while the food in Queens’ Chinatown is worth the long subway ride.